Climb the Stairs to Secret Melbourne

Melbourne is a city steeped in secrets. These days hidden laneways, basement bars and underground restaurants are de rigueur. But what about what’s above the streets? There’s just as many hidden gems high above the city. Here’s a few you can’t afford to miss.

When you’re walking down Flinders Lane, it’s normal to peer down the laneways looking for bars and graffiti art, but what you should be doing is looking up. The Adelphi Hotel’s famous glass-bottomed pool juts out over the street for two metres. The rest of the long lap pool isn’t see through but swim all the way out to the edge and you can look down on the street below. Swimming laps has never been so interesting. The hotel’s pool deck is an astro-turf playground for big kids and is undergoing a revamp as part of the change in ownership. Last year the hotel was rebranded with a “dessert-theme”. Expect licorice allsorts carpet, a big glass bowl filled with sweet treats instead of a mini bar, and the constant smell of all things sugary in the common areas.

The queues for a table at Cumulus Inc are legendary. When Andrew McConnell opened a wine bar upstairs, the crowds just kept coming. Head upstairs to this urban space for wine by the glass and small dishes showcasing local produce. The duck skin waffle has a big foodie following and is just a few bites of decadence.Level 1, 45 Flinders Lane

A local institution, Madame Brussels is the grand dame of rooftop drinking dens in Melbourne. Her astro-turf garden, white whicker chairs, pink walls and preppy staff outfits set the scene for a fun afternoon tipple or two. Walk up the stairwell on Bourke St into a garden party. The homemade sausage rolls aren’t as dainty as the chicken sandwiches but they are delicious, especially with a Pimms cocktail. Level 3, 59-63 Bourke St

For an afternoon of pampering, book into Miss Fox, a designer day spa above the hustle and bustle of Little Collins Street. On the first, second and third floors, you’ll find treatment rooms and beauty stations offering decadent Shiffa Diamond and Emerald treatments along with more standard massages and facials. Book in for a pedicure and sip champagne while sitting beneath the spa’s crystal chandelier. Level 1-3, 285 Little Collins Street

Walk inside the no frills noodle restaurant on Swanston Street and turn left to the lift. Head up to level 4 and you’ll find this moody cocktail bar tucked away in the corner. Don’t forget your iPhone – you’ll need the light to read the menu but its worth the trouble. The mixologists take their job very seriously – try The Forager's Fizz, a well-balanced mix of West Winds Gin, St Germaine elderflower and the zest of ‘Gone Surfin’ Tea Syrup’ lemon and grapefruit. Go even higher up to the rooftop for a more laid back drink or two. Level 4 264 Swanston St